Cool, let me know if he needs any help, my researcher is always up there for me (and I do loads online, believe me the NA, have no idea how to file things away properly):
Interesting part of the war, I prefer Anzio, but I am biased of course
Heres a couple that might interest him (and maybe a couple of other people):
899429 Bmbr Barnes MM R.A. (64th Field Regiment)
MM for Anzio:
On 18th february 44' All attempts at maintenance of the forward post with ration and wireless batteries had failed owing to enemy to enemy fire. Bmbr Barnes volunteered to take batteries to the post, although fully aware of the hazardous nature of the enterprise. Under constant shell-fire, mortar fire and sniping from small arms, bmdr barnes accompanied by l/bdr Hughes reached the bn HQ and delivered the sorely needed batteries. By his bravery and determination communications were upheld. Upon his return to the bty OP which was 400x in rear of bn HQ, bdr Barnes reported his ission completed to the OP officer , and then helped to defend the OP which was being attacked by the enemy armed flame throwers(!!!!) Bdr Barnes continued to use his TSMG. In defence of the OP until wounded and the party was ordered to withdraw. By his great determination and bravery in delivering batteries to his battery commander hen sorely need and his subsequent defence of the OP until wounded, Bdr Barnes showed a splendid example and it was largely due to his efforts that continuous support by the Artillery was maintained on the front of the 7th Btn Oxford and Buckinghamshire L.I."
This was one of only 4 MMs for Anzio awarded to the RA.
No. 899429 Bombardier Eric Jaberth Barnes, Royal
Regiment of Artillery (Rye, Sussex).
S992 Sjt J.P.Dobson MBE, DCM**, MM, ED: York & Lancs'
MM; 11/11/1916
Around this time the 9th Btn Y&L, I believe, were at the Somme.
DCM; 25/NOV/1916
Around this time the 9th Btn Y&L, I believe, were at the Somme.
S992 Sjt. J. P. Dobson, 9th Btn York & Lanc. R.
For conspicuous gallantry in action. He organised and led a bombing party and repulsed an enemy counter-attack. He assumed command of his company, displaying great courage and initiative. Later, although wounded, he greatly assisted in repulsing an enemy bombing attack.
DCM 1st bar; 17/Apr/1917
Around this time the 9th Btn Y&L, I believe, were at Arras.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He consistantly did magnificient work throughout the operations. When a shell burst in the trench and buried two NCO's, he was the first to go to their assistance, and, under heavy fire, dug them out, thereby saving the life of one of them. His splendid example did much to reassure the men under very trying conditions.
DCM 2nd Bar; 19/NOV/1918
Around this time the 9th Btn Y&L, I believe, were at Piave/Sacile.
8992 C/S/M J.P.Dobson, DCM, MM , 9th Bn, Y&L Regt (Snaith) (ITALY)
For conspicuous gallantry and daring on the 30th-31st October 1918, in the Piave battle. He commanded a patrol in front of of our line, and in face of machine gun fire and rifle fire gained valuable information. On 31st October, during the attack on Sacile he led his men, under heavy fire from the houses, right down the main street, capturing it and taking many machine guns and prisoners.
Al Valore Militaire (Italy); 25/MAY/1917
MBE: 2nd June 1943;
Major John Pearson Dobson Y&L Regt'[/b]
Sergeant Thomas James Sevier MM MSM 2/3rd South Midland Field Ambulance R.A.M.C. (T.F.)
MM February 1917,
MSM awarded for:
"This N.C.O has performed meritous service in the DVINA force. Practically the whole time he has been the senior N.C.O. in the forward hospital at TOULGAS. On one occasion when the hospital was captured by the enemy, by his presence of mind, in remaining with the patients, he protected them when threatened, and pursuaded the enemy to sit downto tea, until the the village was recaptured."
SC.6603 CORPORAL K.E.FOWLER ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT,
Gazette Website: PDF Navigator=
Citation:
Lt Gardner received the Military Cross for his part in this recce.
Last one I promise;
Obituary for: Brigadier Tristram Lyon-Smith CBE DSO, Late RA (Retd)
Brigadier Tristram Lyon-Smith died at the Winchester Clinic on 29th November 1982, aged 87 years. Known as Tiger to all Gunners he was born in 1895, was educated at Uppingham and the RMA Woolwich and commissioned into the Royal Artillery in September 1914.
He served in FRance and Belgium almost the entire war, was promoted to Captain in 1917, was wounded and mentioned in Despatches.
These years made a lasting impression on him and undoubtedly affected his subsequent attitude towards discipline and training.
Inthe inter-war years he served in England, Egypt and twice in India [21/3/1923 - 20/1/1927] ; Got his 'Jacket' as Battery Captain of The Rocket Troop and commanded Eagle troop. His interest in Sport, particularly Cricket and Horses, formed an important part of his life.
In 1940 he commanded a regiment in the BEF returning through Dunkirk. A year later he was a Brigadier commanding The Support Group in the newly formed 6th Armoured Division.
Here his early experience in the First War and his many years as regimental officer gave him the opportunity to form and train, most successfully, a Support Group consisting of four Gunner regiments and one infantry battalion.
As one of his CO's at the time writes 'His energy , enthusiasm and refusal to accept anything but the best, judged by his own high standards was a spur and an inspiration. Also a penance to the less dedicated, who he soon weeded out.'
He was a man of very direct character who faced any problem head on and was not deflected by difficulties. If at times he was rather outspoken with his contemporaries and seniors, his juniors such as Battery Commanders and NCO's learnt to take heed of what he taught and his appearance on muddy positions or at OPs with words of encouragement, advice and occasionally praise, was welcomed in the battles of North Africa and Italy.
With the advent of Radio he was one of the first to realise that massed artillery fire could be controlled from an OP quickly and efficiently.
He left 6th Armoured Division in Italy in 1943 to become CRA 7th Armoured Division for the normandy Landings and the advance across France into Germany in 1944 and 1945.
He was sadly to lose two wives, Phil in 1947 and Mabs in 1972. He leaves a daughter, Antonia Hunt; to her we offer our deepest sympathy.
Despatches WW1 + WW2: [7/719 + 9/8/45]
(If anyone can come up with actions for these dates I would love to know)
His CBE citation (for around Argenta Gap) [11/10/45]:
His DSO Citation [8/7/43]:
Y Division was formed on 17th February 1943 and disbanded on (at least in existence till 15th March) ?
It's commanding officer was (intially Brigadier Lyon Smith, an artillery officer)
Its main definative formations were:
38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade (CO Brigadier N Russell)
:- 1st Royal Irish Fusiliers
:- 6th Inniskilling
:- 2nd London Irish Rifles
1st Parachute Brigade (Brigadier E W C Flavell)
:- 1st Parachute Btn
:- 2nd Parachute Btn
:- 3rd Parachute Btn
:- 1st Parachute Sqn RE
:- 16th Parachute Field Ambulance
:- J Section 2 Company Airborne Divisional Signals
Those units in Italics were officially attached to the Brigade between 23/09/42 & 06/05/43. Though wheather they stayed with the Brigade during Y's existence can't be confirmed 100% it seems likely they were.
Units likely within its make up were:
:- Sqn Derbyshire Yeomanry
:- Sqn 142 RAC (Churchills)
:- 152nd Field Regt RA
:- A French Infantry Regiment or Battalion
Units that have been identified as operating with Y, but may not have been officially Y OoB
:- 1st Guards Brigade (CO Brigadier F A V Copland-Griffiths)
:- 3rd Grenadier Guards
:- 2nd Coldstream Guards
:- 2nd Hampshire Regt (18th Feb'43 to 22nd Feb)
:- 3rd Welsh Guards (from 1st March'43)
:- 9th Welch Regt (from 9th March'43
*** It seems that from March 9th this Brigade had 4 Btn's under its control
:- American RCT
:- British Tank Regt (Churchills)
:- AT-TK unit(?)
Others
No 6 Commando
ATB,
Tom